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Design vs BricsCAD: catalog facts
Design	BricsCAD
Best for: Linux users who need a free 2D drafting tool that exchanges DXF files	Best for: Native-DWG CAD software with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical variants
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.	Paid Paid license with a 30-day free trial.
Linux, Web	Windows, macOS, Linux
Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation All 4 strengths for Design Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation Dimensions with full dimension style support Desktop and in-browser versions	Native DWG support avoids file conversion friction with AutoCAD-based workflows Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux unlike most mainstream CAD tools
Desktop version is Linux only 2D drafting only, no 3D modelling	Paid license required after the 30-day trial ends Smaller third-party plugin ecosystem than AutoCAD or SolidWorks
Downloadable app, Web application	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Design design-app.readthedocs.io Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for BricsCAD bricsys.com Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.